SERIES 01Laser cutting
In productionLaser cutting
Understand the cut. Learn how geometry, assist gas, and edge quality affect the finished part.
8 planned lessonsExplore series
← All Academy seriesXEON NC ACADEMY / SERIES 03
Series 03 / In production
Materials.
Choose the right starting point. Compare alloys, thicknesses, and material properties.
06 Planned lessonsSoon Videos in productionFree No account required
06 lessons / Materials
Inside this series.
A closer look at every step. Explore the lessons. Videos coming soon.
LESSON 01 / beginnerAluminum 5052 vs 6061 — Which to Use?
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Materials / LESSON 01
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Aluminum 5052 vs 6061 — Which to Use?
The most common choice engineers get wrong. Learn the real differences between 5052 and 6061 for sheet metal.
LESSON 02 / beginnerCold-Rolled vs Hot-Rolled Steel
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Materials / LESSON 02
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Cold-Rolled vs Hot-Rolled Steel
A1008 CRS vs A36 HRS — surface finish, tolerances, weldability, and when to choose each.
LESSON 03 / intermediateStainless 304 vs 316 — A Real World Guide
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Materials / LESSON 03
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Stainless 304 vs 316 — A Real World Guide
Going beyond the specs. When does the molybdenum in 316 actually matter for your application?
LESSON 04 / intermediateReading a Material Datasheet
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Materials / LESSON 04
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Reading a Material Datasheet
How to read and apply a material spec sheet — UTS, yield, elongation, and what they mean for fabrication.
LESSON 05 / intermediateSelecting Material Thickness for Your Part
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Materials / LESSON 05
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Selecting Material Thickness for Your Part
A systematic guide to choosing the right gauge — accounting for load, bend radius, and weight.
LESSON 06 / advancedBrass, Copper & Exotic Sheet Metals
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Materials / LESSON 06
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Brass, Copper & Exotic Sheet Metals
An overview of C260, C360, and C110 copper for specialty applications — properties, limitations, and cost.
Preview images / Videos in productionMaterial catalog
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More from the Academy.
In productionSERIES 02Bending
In productionCNC bending
Design around the bend. Explore tooling, flange length, springback, and flat patterns.
7 planned lessonsExplore series
SERIES 04CAD & design
In productionCAD & file preparation
Give your design a clean handoff. Prepare cutting profiles, export files, and plan for hardware.
9 planned lessonsExplore series
From your file to finished parts